The Presence Promise: He is Near – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Philippians 4:4-7

Key Verse:  Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture.  I often refer to it when I am having trouble going to sleep or struggling with stress.  This word from the Lord is powerful and effective in keeping us at peace.  It reminds us that God has promised His presence in our lives.

To receive its full effect, we must start where our passage starts: with rejoicing in the Lord.  For me the emphasis must be on the last phrase, “in the Lord.”  I cannot often rejoice in my problems or fears.  I can always rejoice in the Lord!  It is in Him that His mighty right hand keeps us!  It is in Him that we can trust that all things are going to work together for our good!  It is in Him that we can have the mind of Christ, with all the divine wisdom for our challenging issues.  It is in Him that we can walk through our day in perfect peace.  Yes, I can rejoice IN THE LORD!

The next step is to let our gentleness be evident to all.  The Greek word for gentle that the Apostle Paul uses is defined with the words, “stay calm.”  This makes sense knowing we are in Christ.  Staying calm and fair in all situations is possible when we know God is on the scene.  When we rejoice in the Lord, we also stay calm!

Father, I choose to rejoice in you today!  I will remember who I am in you and stay calm in all life challenges.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.